Planning Topics
As Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the factors affecting South Africans’ wellbeing, figures from a Sanlam Benchmark survey reveal just how deeply financial stress is impacting daily life: 80% of South Africans said they were currently experiencing financial stress, which was…
South Africans have a retirement savings problem. Research shows that only six out of every 100 South Africans will be able to retire comfortably. On top of that, Deloitte reports our national savings rate is just 0.5%, far lower than most emerging economies. In other words, many of us…
Gold has surged to record highs, and South Africans who bought Krugerrands 30 years ago have seen extraordinary returns.Exactly 30 years ago, gold traded at about $384.65 an ounce. With the rand then averaging R3.63 to the dollar, a 1oz Krugerrand cost roughly R1 397 at the time.Fast forward to…
Estate planning is often misunderstood as something that only comes into play at death. In reality, it is an ongoing process of structuring and managing your assets and liabilities during your lifetime so that your financial goals can be met both while you are alive and after you are gone. At its…
In a bid to help consumers recognise scams and take appropriate action to protect themselves, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) has launched an awareness campaign.According to the SAFPS, the scam in question involves fraudulent phone calls, commonly referred to as “vishing”,…
We need to include banks in the conversation about illicit financial flows, according to Khanyile Tshabalala, chairperson of the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (APNIFFT).She says the banks were reaping off South Africans. “How am I able to buy a car for R1…
Limpopo has emerged as South Africa’s property hotspot, recording the fastest house price growth in the country.The province’s residential property prices jumped 12.3% in May 2025, outpacing every other province and nearly doubling the national average, Statistics South Africa said on Friday.The…
Selling a home can be an exciting journey, but it also comes with plenty of pitfalls that could end up costing sellers valuable time and money. To help homeowners avoid common missteps, REMAX Southern Africa asked their agents to share the biggest mistakes they’ve seen sellers make.Here’s what…
Every 39 seconds, a new cyberattack hits somewhere in the world. Financial institutions are among the top targets, and the consequences aren’t just digital. Lives, reputations, and hard-earned money are all at stake. In South Africa, a single breach can cost a business millions of rands,…
As South Africans recently celebrated a day of communal braais and shared national pride, our digital lives inevitably mirrored our physical ones. We posted family photos, shared traditions, and celebrated our diverse cultures online. But in this outpouring of celebration, we risked exposing the…
Given the speed at which criminals are shifting to digital platforms to lure victims out of their hard-earned money, ordinary South Africans must learn how to protect themselves against scams. According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) 2024 crime statistics report…
KwaZulu-Natal’s property market is showing a clear shift in buyer preferences, with a marked increase in sectional title purchases across the province.According to RE/MAX, more South Africans are recognising the lifestyle and financial benefits of shared ownership models, particularly in high-…
“When America sneezes, the world catches a cold.” This saying, which has been around forever, epitomises the dominance of the US financial system in the global economy. And it reflects the love affair investors globally have had with the US and how dependent they have become on its stocks and bonds…
As South Africa joins the global observance of World Investor Week 2025 (6-12 October), the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) has issued a considered appeal to consumers to broaden their understanding of financial wellness.While budgeting and investment remain central pillars of financial…
The retirement reality check: Why 'later' is now for younger South AfricansIt is said that success favours the focused and that retirement is not an age, but a mindset. This also rings true for retirement planning, when fear of complexity often leads to procrastination in younger generations. …
Creating generational wealth requires the discipline to save consistently and the insight to invest wisely. Even small amounts set aside over the long term can improve the financial well-being of multiple generations. On paper, these principles may seem straightforward to apply, but in a South…
This week, I had the honour of attending the 13th Pan-African Conference on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (PAC) in Sandton, a gathering that reaffirmed what many of us have long known: multinational corporations are bleeding Africa dry, and our people are paying the price.The theme of this…
The two-pot regime, which allows pension fund members to access a third of every contribution made into their retirement investments from last September, is expected to shine a spotlight firmly on companies that breach the requirements of the Pension Funds Act.The Financial Services Conduct…
As a certified financial planner, I am often faced with questions about new investments that promise high returns with low risk. Examples include so-called ‘exclusive’ high-return funds that promise up to 30% annually and accept investors only by referral. Another example is a crypto token…
The three digits that represent your credit score reflect some of the most important financial information about you. Yet, most South Africans don’t know their score or how to manage or improve it.Your credit score is an indicator of financial reliability. Lenders use it to determine whether you…